Sensor, data processing system, and operating method

ABSTRACT

An image sensor includes a unit pixel including a plurality of color pixels with a depth pixel. A first signal line group of first signal lines is used to supply first control signals that control operation of the plurality of color pixels, and a separate second signal line group of second signal lines is used to supply second control signals that control operation of the depth pixel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) from KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2011-0068071 filed on Jul. 8, 2011, thesubject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concept relates to sensors, such as image sensors, anddata processing systems including same. More particularly, the inventiveconcept relates to image sensors that are capable of determining bothcolor and depth information related to an imaged object, as well as dataprocessing systems including such image sensors and operating methodsfor such data processing systems.

So-called three-dimensional (3D) image sensors are variously capable ofdetermining color information and or depth information for an imagedobject. Color information has been acquired by an image sensor includinga plurality of color pixels, while depth information has been acquiredby an image sensor including a plurality of depth pixels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the inventive concept is directed to a sensorincluding; a pixel array including a unit pixel including a plurality ofcolor pixels with a depth pixel, a first signal line group of firstsignal lines that supply first control signals controlling operation ofthe plurality of color pixels, and a second signal line group of secondsignal lines that supply second control signals controlling operation ofthe depth pixel.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is directed to a dataprocessing system including; an image sensor and a processor thatcontrols operation of the image sensor. The image sensor includes; apixel array including a unit pixel including a plurality of color pixelswith a depth pixel, a first signal line group of first signal lines thatsupply first control signals controlling operation of the plurality ofcolor pixels, and a second signal line group of second signal lines thatsupply second control signals controlling operation of the depth pixel.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is directed to a mobilecommunication device including; an image sensor and a processor thatcontrols operation of the image sensor, wherein the image sensorgenerates a signal output and comprises a pixel array including a unitpixel including a plurality of color pixels with a depth pixel, a firstsignal line group of first signal lines that supply first controlsignals controlling operation of the plurality of color pixels, and asecond signal line group of second signal lines that supply secondcontrol signals controlling operation of the depth pixel, and an imagesignal processor that processes the signal output to display a processedsignal via a display.

Another embodiment of the inventive concept is directed to a method foroperating an image sensor including a pixel array having a unit pixelincluding a plurality of color pixels with a depth pixel. The methodincludes; applying first control signals through a first row driver andfirst signal lines to control operation of the plurality of colorpixels, and applying second control signals through a second row driverand second signal lines to control the depth pixel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the inventive concept willbecome apparent and more readily appreciated from the followingdescription of the embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image sensor according to an embodimentof the inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a color pixel that may beincluded in the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating a depth pixel that may beincluded in the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating another depth pixel that may beincluded in the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating still another depth pixel thatmay be included in the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual illustration of a unit pixel that may be includedin the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in one embodiment theunit pixel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in another embodimentthe unit pixel of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a conceptual illustration of another unit pixel that may beincluded in the pixel array of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in one embodiment theunit pixel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in another embodimentthe unit pixel of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart summarizing one possible operating method of theimage sensor of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a data processing system including theimage sensor of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described insome additional detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theinventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as being limited to only the illustratedembodiments. Rather, the illustrated embodiments are provided so thatthis disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey thescope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Throughoutthe written description and drawings, like reference numbers and labelsare used to denote like or similar elements.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed itemsand may be abbreviated as “/”.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first signal could be termed asecond signal, and, similarly, a second signal could be termed a firstsignal without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventiveconcept. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and/orthe present application, and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Figure (FIG.) 1 is a block diagram of an image sensor according to anembodiment of the inventive concept. The term “image sensor” is used inthis description to denote a sensor capable of obtaining colorinformation and/or depth information from an imaged object. Referring toFIG. 1, an image sensor 10 may be a three-dimensional (3D) image sensorcapable of obtaining “3D image information” that combines colorinformation using a plurality of color pixels and depth informationusing a plurality of depth pixels. Color information may include, forexample, red color information, green color information and/or bluecolor information. That is, each one of the plurality of color pixelsmay be a red pixel, a green pixel, and/or a blue pixel.

The image sensor 10 of FIG. 1 may obtain (or determine) colorinformation by converting light incident received by the plurality ofcolor pixels (hereafter, “incident light”) into a correspondingelectrical signal. For example, the image sensor 10 may emit an infraredphoton (or optical) signal (e.g., a modulated infrared photon (oroptical) signal) using an infrared light source 100 in order toilluminate an imaged object. In this manner, image sensor 10 maydetermine the distance or depth to the imaged object using a timedifference between emission of the infrared photon signal by theinfrared light source 100 and return of incident light resulting fromthe infrared photon signal (hereafter, the “reflected photon signal”) tothe image sensor 10 by the imaged object.

The image sensor 10 of FIG. 1 comprises in addition to the infraredlight source 100, a pixel array 200, a first row driver 300, a secondrow driver 320, a timing generator 400, a correlated double sampling(CDS) block 340, an analog to digital converter (ADC) 360 and a buffer380. Optionally, the image sensor 10 may further comprise an imagesignal processor (ISP) 20.

In certain embodiments, the image sensor 10 and ISP 20 may be commonlyembodied on a single semiconductor chip (e.g., a System on Chip (SoC))or separately embodied on different semiconductor chips.

The image sensor 10 may further include a column decoder (not shown)that communicate data received from the buffer 380 to the ISP 20 underthe control of the timing generator 400.

The infrared light source 100 may be used to illuminate an imaged objectusing an infrared photon signal and under the control of the timinggenerator 400. The infrared light source 100 may be a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), an active-matrixorganic light emitting diode (AMOLED), and/or a laser diode.

The pixel array 200 may include a plurality of pixels that aretwo-dimensionally embodied and include a plurality of color pixels and aplurality of depth pixels. The plurality of color pixels may include redpixels converting incident light in a defined red spectrum region into acorresponding electrical signal, green pixels converting incident lightin a defined green spectrum region into a corresponding electricalsignal, and blue pixels converting incident light in a defined bluespectrum region into a corresponding electrical signal.

Additionally, one or more lens (not shown) for concentrating theincident light and color filter(s) (not shown) for transmitting aparticular portion of the overall light spectrum may be arranged over oron each one of the plurality of color pixels. For example, a red filter(not shown) passing incident light in the red spectrum region may bearranged over each red pixel, a green filter (not shown) passingincident light in the green spectrum region may be arranged over eachgreen pixel, and a blue filter (not shown) passing incident light in theblue spectrum region may be arranged over each blue pixel.

Each of the plurality of depth pixels may generate a plurality of framesignals in response to the reflected photon signal and a plurality ofcontrol signals. The plurality of control signals may be provided by thesecond row driver 320. In addition, there may be one or more lens (notshown) concentrating the reflected photon signal and/or one or moreinfrared pass filter (not shown) passing the concentrated photon signalon each one of the plurality of depth pixels.

The first row driver 300 may be used to supply a plurality of firstcontrol signals controlling the operation of the plurality of colorpixels to each of the plurality of color pixels under the control of thetiming generator 400. That is, the first row driver 300 may be used todrive the plurality of color pixels on a row by row basis.

The second row driver 320 may be used to supply a plurality of secondcontrol signals controlling operation of the plurality of depth pixelsto each of the plurality of depth pixels under the control of the timinggenerator 400. That is, the second row driver 320 may drive theplurality of depth pixels on a row by row basis. However, in certainembodiments, the first row driver 300 and second row driver 320 may beembodied in a single row driver.

The CDS block 340 may be used to perform correlated double sampling(CSD) on the output signals provided by the pixel array 200 in responseto control signals provided by the timing generator 400. The ADC 360 maythen perform analog-to-digital conversion on the correlated doublesampled signals provided by the CDS block 340 in order to provide outputdigital signal(s). In certain embodiments, the ADC 360 may include aplurality of comparators (not shown) and a plurality of counters (notshown).

The buffer 380 may be used to receive and store the digital signal(s)provide by the ADC 360. The digital signal(s) stored in the buffer 380may then be output to the ISP 20 by a column decoder (not shown).

The timing generator 400 may be used to generate various control signalsthat control the respective operation of (and inter-operation between)the components of the image sensor 10, including but not limited to, theinfrared light source 100, the first row driver 300, the second rowdriver 320, the CDS block 340 and the ADC 360.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a color pixel 220 that may be included inthe pixel array 200 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the colorpixel 220 includes a photo-electric conversion element PD, atransmission transistor TX, a reset transistor RX, a drive transistor DXand a select transistor SX.

The photo-electric conversion element PD generates photo-generatedcharges corresponding to an incident light incident to the color pixel220. The photo-electric conversion element PD may be embodied in a photodiode, photo transistor or a pinned photo diode. The color pixel 220 maybe a red pixel, a greed pixel or a blue pixel.

The transmission transistor TX transmits the photo-generated chargesaccumulated on the photo-electric conversion element PD to a floatingdiffusion region FD in response to a transmission control signal TG Thephoto-generated charges transmitted by a turn-on operation of thetransmission transistor TX are stored in the floating diffusion regionFD. The reset transistor RX may reset a voltage level of the floatingdiffusion region FD to a supply voltage level VDD in response to a resetsignal RG output from the first row driver 300.

The drive transistor DX, which may perform a role of a source followerbuffer amplifier, outputs, in response to photo-generated chargestransmitted from the floating diffusion region FD, an electrical signalproportioned to an amount of the photo-generated charges. The selecttransistor SX outputs an output signal of the drive transistor DX to theCDS block 340 in response to a select signal SEL output from the firstrow driver 300. The transmission control signal TG, a reset signal RGand a select signal SEL are generated by the first row driver 300.

Each of the transmission transistor TX, the reset transistor RX, thedrive transistor DX and the select transistor SX illustrated in FIG. 2may be embodied by a NMOS transistor. However, each of the transmissiontransistor TX, the reset transistor RX, the drive transistor DX and theselect transistor SX may alternately be embodied by a PMOS transistor incertain embodiments.

The color pixel 220 of FIG. 2 includes four transistors. However,embodiments of the inventive concept are not restricted to only fourtransistor circuits, and those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe number of transistors used to embody the color pixel 220 may vary byapplication.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a depth pixel 240 that may be included inthe pixel array 200 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the depthpixel 240 includes a photo-electric conversion element PD1, atransmission transistor TX1, an overflow transistor TX2, a resettransistor RX1, a drive transistor DX1 and a select transistor SX1.

The photo-electric conversion element PD1 generates photo-generatedcharges corresponding to an incident light incident to the depth pixel240. The photo-electric conversion element PD1 may be embodied in aphoto diode or a pinned photo diode.

The transmission transistor TX1 transmits the photo-generated chargesaccumulated on the photo-electric conversion element PD1 to the floatingdiffusion region FD1 in response to a first transmission control signalTG1. The photo-generated charges transmitted by a turn-on operation ofthe transmission transistor TX1 are stored in the floating diffusionregion FD1. The first transmission control signal TG1 each having aphase difference of 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° from an infrared photon signalis successively supplied to a gate of the transmission transistor TX1.

The overflow transistor TX2 supplies a discharge path through whichphoto-generated charges generated by the photo-electric conversionelement PD1 are discharged to a power supply terminal supplying a supplyvoltage VDD in response to a second transmission control signal DG Thatis, a drain terminal of the over flow transistor TX2 is connected to thepower supply terminal. A second transmission control signal DG which hasa phase difference of 180° from the first transmission control signalTG1 input to a gate of the transmission transistor TX1 is supplied to agate of the overflow transistor TX2.

The image sensor 10 may determine (or estimate) depth informationbetween the image sensor to an imaged object based on photo-generatedcharges transmitted to the floating diffusion region FD1. Accordingly,the depth pixel 240 illustrated in FIG. 3 may be understood as a one-tapstructure.

The reset transistor RX1 may reset a voltage level of the floatingdiffusion region FD1 to a supply voltage VDD level in response to areset signal RG1. In response to photo-generated charges transmittedfrom the floating diffusion region FD1, the drive transistor DX1 outputsan electrical signal proportioned to an amount of the photo-generatedcharges. The select transistor SX1 outputs an output signal of the drivetransistor DX1 to the CDS block 340 in response to a select signal SEL.The first transmission control signal TG1, the second transmissioncontrol signal DG, the reset signal RG1 and the select signal SEL aregenerated by the second row driver 320.

FIG. 4 is another circuit diagram a depth pixel 260 that may be includedin the pixel array 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the depthpixel 260 includes the photo-electric conversion element PD1, the firsttransmission transistor TX1, the second transmission transistor TX2, thefirst reset transistor RX1, a second reset transistor RX2, the firstdrive transistor DX1, a second drive transistor DX2, the first selecttransistor SX1 and a second select transistor SX2.

The photo-electric conversion element PD1 generates photo-generatedcharges corresponding to an incident light incident to the depth pixel260. The photo-electric conversion element PD1 may be embodied in aphoto diode or a pinned photo diode.

The first transmission transistor TX1 transmits the photo-generatedcharges accumulated on the photo-electric conversion element PD1 to thefirst floating diffusion region FD1 in response to the firsttransmission control signal TG1. The photo-generated charges transmittedby a turn-on operation of the first transmission transistor TX1 arestored in the first floating diffusion region FD1. The firsttransmission control signal TG1 each having a phase difference of 0° or90° from an infrared photon signal is supplied successively to a gate ofthe first transmission transistor TX1.

The second transmission transistor TX2 transmits the photo-generatedcharges accumulated on the photo-electric conversion element PD1 to asecond floating diffusion region FD2 in response to a secondtransmission control signal TG2. The photo-generated charges transmittedby a turn-on operation of the second transmission transistor TX2 arestored in the second floating diffusion region FD2. The secondtransmission control signal TG2 each having a phase difference of 180°or 270° from an infrared photon signal is supplied successively to agate of the second transmission transistor TX2. That is, a phase of thesecond transmission control signal TG2 has a phase difference of 180°from the first transmission control signal TG1.

The image sensor 10 may be used to determine depth information betweenthe image sensor and an imaged object based on photo-generated chargestransmitted to the first floating diffusion region FD1 and the secondfloating diffusion region FD2. Accordingly, the depth pixel 260illustrated in FIG. 4 may be understood as a two-tap structure.

The first reset transistor RX1 may reset a voltage level of the firstfloating diffusion region FD1 to a supply voltage VDD level in responseto a first reset signal RG1. The second reset transistor RX2 may reset avoltage level of the second floating diffusion region FD2 to the supplyvoltage VDD level in response to a second reset signal RG2.

The first drive transistor DX1 outputs an electric signal proportionedto an amount of the photo-generated charges in response tophoto-generated charges transmitted from the first floating diffusionregion FD1. The second drive transistor DX2 outputs an electric signalproportioned to an amount of the photo-generated charges in response tophoto-generated charges transmitted from the second floating diffusionregion FD2.

The first select transistor SX1 outputs an output signal of the firstdrive transistor DX1 to the CDS block 340 in response to a first selectsignal SELL. The second select transistor SX2 outputs an output signalof the second drive transistor DX2 to the CDS block 340 in response to asecond select signal SEL2. The first transmission control signal TG1,the second transmission control signal TG2, the first reset signal RG1,the second reset signal RG2, the first select signal SEL1 and the secondselect signal SEL2 are generated by the second row driver 320.

FIG. 5 is still another circuit diagram of a depth pixel 280 that may beincluded in the pixel array 200 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5,the depth pixel 280 includes the transmission transistor TX1, theoverflow transistor TX2, the reset transistor RX1, the drive transistorDX1 and the select transistor SX1.

Each source terminal (or node) and each drain terminal (or node) of thetransmission transistor TX1 and the overflow transistor TX2 areconnected to each other, respectively. That is, each gate and each bodyof the transmission transistor TX1 and the overflow transistor TX2 havea floating structure. Accordingly, the depth sensor 280 does not includea photo-electric conversion element like depth pixel 240 illustrated inFIG. 3. Except for this particular difference, the structure andoperation of the depth pixel 280 shown in FIG. 5 is substantiallysimilar to that of the depth pixel 240 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a unit pixel that may be included inthe pixel array 200 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram furtherillustrating in one embodiment the unit pixel of FIG. 6. Referring toFIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the pixel array 200 is assumed to include a pluralityof unit pixels 210. The unit pixel 210 includes a plurality of colorpixels R, G and B and a depth pixel Z. That is, the unit pixel 210includes a red pixel R, a green pixel G, a blue pixel B and a depthpixel Z. According to the illustrated embodiment, the particulararrangement of the plurality of color pixels R, G and B and the depthpixel Z is merely exemplary in nature and may be varied in otherembodiments.

The structure and operation of each of the plurality of color pixels R,G and B may be as described above in regard to the color pixel 220 ofFIG. 2, whereas the structure and operation of the depth pixel Z may beas above in regard to one or more of the depth pixels 240, 260 and 280of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. The respective sizes of the plurality of pixels R,G, B and Z may be the same as suggested by the unit pixel 210 of FIG. 6.However, this need not always be the case.

Each of the plurality of color pixels R, G and B is connected to a powersupply line that supplies a supply voltage VDD and a first signal linegroup. The first signal line group includes a plurality of signal linesfor supplying each of a plurality of control signals RG, TG and SEL forcontrolling each operation of the plurality of color pixels R, G and B.

Each of the plurality of control signals RG, TG and SEL is output fromthe first row driver 300. That is, the first row driver 300 may supplythe plurality of control signals RG, TG and SEL to each of the pluralityof color pixels R, G and B through the first signal line group.

The depth pixel Z is connected to the power supply line that supplies asupply voltage VDD and a second signal line group. The second signalline group includes a plurality of signal lines for supplying each of aplurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG1 and SEL1 for controlling anoperation of the depth pixel Z.

Each of a plurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG1 and SEL1 is outputfrom the second row driver 320. That is, the second row driver maysupply the plurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG1 and SEL1 to thedepth pixel Z through the second signal line group.

Pixels, embodied on (or along) the same column among the plurality ofpixels R, G, B and Z included in the unit pixel 210, share an outputline. That is, each output signal of the green pixel G and the bluepixel B is transmitted to the CDS block 340 through a first output lineOUT1. In addition, each output signal of the red pixel R and the depthpixel Z is transmitted to the CDS block 340 through a second output lineOUT2. In the end, pixels, embodied on (or along) an identical columnamong a plurality of pixels included in the pixel array 200, may sharean output line.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in another embodimentthe unit pixel illustrated in FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, theunit pixel 210-1 includes a plurality of color pixels R, G and B and adepth pixel Z. The structure and operation of the unit pixel 210-1 ofFIG. 8 may be substantially similar to that of the unit pixel 210 ofFIG. 7, except for the following noted differences.

The green pixel G and the blue pixel B share an output line. That is,each output signal of the green pixel G and the blue pixel B istransmitted to the CDS block 340 through a first output line OUT1.

However, the red pixel R and the depth pixel Z do not share an outputline. That is, an output signal of the red pixel R is transmitted to theCDS block 340 through a second output line OUT2, and an output signal ofthe depth pixel Z is transmitted to the CDS block 340 through a thirdoutput line OUT2′.

In other words, color pixels that are embodied along the same columnamong a plurality of color pixels included in the pixel array 200, sharean output line. In addition, depth pixels that are embodied along thesame column among a plurality of depth pixels included in the pixelarray 200, share an output line.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another unit pixel that maybe included in the pixel array 200 of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a circuitdiagram further illustrating in one embodiment the unit pixel of FIG. 9.Referring to FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, the pixel array 200 may include aplurality of unit pixels 212. The unit pixel 212 includes the pluralityof color pixels R, G and B and the depth pixel Z. That is, the unitpixel 212 includes the red pixel R, the green pixel G, the blue pixel Band the depth pixel Z. According to the illustrated embodiment, each ofthe plurality of color pixels R, G and B and the depth pixel Z may bevariably arranged.

The structure and operation of each of the plurality of color pixels R,G and B may be substantially the same as the color pixel 220 of FIG. 2.In addition, the structure and operation of the depth pixel Z may besubstantially the same as one of the depth pixels 240, 260 and 280 ofFIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Of particular note, the size of the plurality of colorpixels R, G and B is less than the size of the depth pixel Z in the unitpixel 212 of FIG. 9.

Each of the plurality of color pixels R, G and B is connected to a powersupply line that supplies the supply voltage VDD and a first signal linegroup. The first signal line group includes a plurality of signal linesfor supplying each of the plurality of control signals RG, TG and SELfor controlling each operation of the plurality of color pixels R, G andB.

Each of the plurality of control signals RG, TG and SEL is output fromthe first row driver 300. That is, the first row driver 300 may supplythe plurality of control signals RG, TG and SEL to each of the pluralityof color pixels R, G and B through the first signal line group.

The depth pixel Z is connected to the power supply line that suppliesthe supply voltage VDD and a second signal line group. The second signalline group includes a plurality of signal lines for supplying each ofthe plurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG1 and SEL1 for controllingan operation of the depth pixel Z.

Each of a plurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG and SEL1 is outputfrom the second row driver 320. That is, the second row driver 320 maysupply the plurality of control signals RG1, DG, TG1 and SEL1 to thedepth pixel Z through the second signal line group.

Pixels, which are embodied along the same column among the plurality ofpixels R, G, B and Z included in the unit pixel 212, share an outputline. That is, each output signal of the plurality of pixels R, G, B andZ included in the unit pixel 212 is output through an output line of oneof a first output line OUT1, a second output line OUT2, a third outputline OUT3 and a fourth output line OUT4. Pixels, which are embodiedalong the same column among a plurality of pixels included in the pixelarray 200, may share an output line.

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram further illustrating in another embodimentthe unit pixel of FIG. 6. Referring to FIGS. 1, 9 and 11, a unit pixel212-1 includes the plurality of color pixels R, G and B and the depthpixel Z. The structure and operation of the unit pixel 212-1 illustratedin FIG. 11 may be similar to that of the unit pixel 212 of FIG. 10,except as noted.

For example, each of the plurality of color pixels and the depth pixel Zincluded in the unit pixel 212-1 do not share an output line. That is,each output signal of the plurality of color pixels R, G and B includedin the unit pixel 212-1 is output through an output line of one of thefirst output line OUT1, the second output line OUT2, the third outputline OUT3 and the fourth output line OUT4. An output signal of the depthpixel Z is output through a fifth output line OUT3′.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart generally summarizing an operating method for theimage sensor of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, the first rowdriver 300 outputs a plurality of first control signals that control theoperation of the plurality of color pixels in the pixel array 200 (S10).The first row driver 300 may output the plurality of first controlsignals under the control of the timing generator 400. Here, theplurality of first control signals is transmitted through the firstsignal line group. The first signal line group may include a pluralityof signal lines that supplies the plurality of first control signals.

The second row driver 320 outputs a plurality of second control signalsfor controlling the operation of the plurality of color pixels includedin the pixel array 200 (S30). The second row driver 320 may output theplurality of second control signals under the control of the timinggenerator 400. Here, the plurality of second control signals istransmitted through a second signal line group. The first signal linegroup may include a plurality of signal lines that supply the pluralityof first control signals.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a data processing system including asensor like the image sensor 10 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13,the data processing system 1000 comprises the sensor 10 and a processor12. The data processing system 1000 may be embodied in a 3D distancemeasurer, a game controller, a depth camera, a mobile communicationdevice or a gesture sensing apparatus.

The processor 12 may control an operation of the sensor, e.g., anoperation of the timing generator 400, through a bus 16. The processor12 may store a program for controlling an operation of the sensor 10.According to the illustrated embodiment, the processor 12 may performthe program stored in the memory by accessing a memory (not shown) wherea program for controlling an operation of the sensor 10 is stored.

The sensor 10 may generate 3D image information based on each digitalpixel signal, e.g., color information or depth information, under thecontrol of the processor 12. The generated 3D image information may bedisplayed through a display (not shown) connected to an interface 18.That is, an image signal processor 20 included in the sensor 10 orequipped separately may process a signal output from the sensor 10 anddisplay a processed signal through a display.

3D image information generated by the sensor 10 may be stored in amemory device 14 through the bus 16 under the control of the processor12. The memory device 14 may be embodied in a non-volatile memorydevice.

The interface 18 may be embodied in an interface forinputting/outputting 3D image information. According to an exampleembodiment, the interface 18 may be embodied in an input device such asa keyboard, a mouse and a touch pad, or an output device such as adisplay and a printer.

As described above, certain embodiments of the inventive concept includecolor pixels such as a red pixel, a green pixel or a blue pixel.However, other embodiments of the inventive concept include color pixelswherein the red pixel is replaced by a cyan pixel, a yellow pixel and amagenta pixel; the green pixel is be replaced by another cyan pixel,yellow pixel and magenta pixel; and/or, the blue pixel is replaced byyet another cyan pixel, yellow pixel and magenta pixel. Here, the cyanpixel is able to convert incident light of a defined cyan spectrumregion into a corresponding electrical signal, the yellow pixel is ableto convert incident light in a defined yellow spectrum region into acorresponding electrical signal, and the magenta pixel is able toconvert light in a defined magenta spectrum region into a correspondingelectrical signal.

A sensor, such as an image sensor, according to embodiments of theinventive concept may embody a plurality of color pixels and a pluralityof depth pixels in one chip. Additionally, the sensors according toembodiments of the inventive concept may determine color information foran imaged object and depth information for the imaged object.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept havebeen shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the inventive concept as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A sensor comprising: a pixel array including a unit pixel including aplurality of color pixels with a depth pixel; a first signal line groupof first signal lines that supply first control signals controllingoperation of the plurality of color pixels; and a second signal linegroup of second signal lines that supply second control signalscontrolling operation of the depth pixel.
 2. The sensor of claim 1,further comprising: a first row driver disposed on one side of the pixelarray that generates the first control signals; and a second row driverdisposed on an opposing side of the pixel array that generates thesecond control signals.
 3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof color pixels and the depth pixel share an output line.
 4. The sensorof claim 1, further comprising: a first output line that outputs anoutput signal from at least one of the plurality of color pixels; and asecond output line that outputs an output signal from the depth pixel.5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein a size of each one of the plurality ofcolor pixels is the same as a size of the depth pixel.
 6. The sensor ofclaim 1, wherein a size of at least one of the plurality of color pixelsis different from a size of the depth pixel.
 7. The sensor of claim 1,wherein a size of at least one of the plurality of color pixels is lessthan a size of the depth pixel.
 8. The sensor of claim 1, wherein thedepth pixel is one of a one-tap structure and a two-tap structure.
 9. Adata processing system comprising: an image sensor and a processor thatcontrols operation of the image sensor, wherein the image sensorcomprises: a pixel array including a unit pixel including a plurality ofcolor pixels with a depth pixel; a first signal line group of firstsignal lines that supply first control signals controlling operation ofthe plurality of color pixels; and a second signal line group of secondsignal lines that supply second control signals controlling operation ofthe depth pixel.
 10. The data processing system of claim 9, wherein thesensor further comprises: a first row driver that generates the firstcontrol signals, and a second row driver that generates the secondcontrol signals, wherein the plurality of color pixels and the depthpixel share an output line.
 11. The data processing system of claim 9,wherein the sensor further comprises: a first row driver that generatesthe first control signals, and a second row driver that generates thesecond control signals; a first output line that outputs an outputsignal from at least one of the plurality of color pixels, and a secondoutput line that outputs an output signal from the depth pixel.
 12. Thedata processing system of claim 9, wherein the data processing system isa gesture sensing apparatus.
 13. A mobile communication devicecomprising: an image sensor and a processor that controls operation ofthe image sensor, wherein the image sensor generates a signal output andcomprises a pixel array including a unit pixel including a plurality ofcolor pixels with a depth pixel, a first signal line group of firstsignal lines that supply first control signals controlling operation ofthe plurality of color pixels, and a second signal line group of secondsignal lines that supply second control signals controlling operation ofthe depth pixel; and an image signal processor that processes the signaloutput to display a processed signal via a display.
 14. The mobilecommunication device of claim 13, wherein the sensor further comprises:a first row driver that generates the first control signals, and asecond row driver that generates the second control signals, wherein theplurality of color pixels and the depth pixel share an output line. 15.The mobile communication device of claim 13, wherein the sensor furthercomprises: a first row driver that generates the first control signals,and a second row driver that generates the second control signals; afirst output line that outputs an output signal from at least one of theplurality of color pixels, and a second output line that outputs anoutput signal from the depth pixel. 16-20. (canceled)